The Wellington Muslims Association (WMA) in collaboration with IHH, an international humanitarian organization based in Turkey, over the weekend donated millions of leones to over four hundred (400) orphans in Sierra Leone.
The donation ceremony was held at the Association’s Secretariat at Wellington Industrial Estate in Freetown. Addressing the beneficiaries during the donation, President of the Wellington Muslims Association, Alhaji Osman Dumbuya said, giving support to orphans has become an annual event for IHH of Turkey and the Wellington Muslims Association.
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| WMA President addressing the beneficiaries |
He said this is an event that is being observed twice a year in Sierra Leone, adding that IHH of Turkey and WMA puts priority in the area of offering assistance to orphans in this country. The President further revealed that his association and IHH commenced their support for orphans in this country in 2004 and that they have been providing scholarships, food, medical and educational supports for the orphans.
According to Alhaji Dumbuya, the association commenced its support services with only twenty-two orphans listed but that due to its continued support, the number has grown to over four hundred and one (401) orphans countrywide.
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| A female beneficiary |
Alhaji Osman Dumbuya recalled that sometime in June this year, IHH and WMA sponsored three orphans from Sierra Leone to partake in the ‘5th International Get-Together for Orphans’ held in Turkey, adding that it was a ceremony that attracted orphans from fifty-six countries across the world.
Alhaji Dumbuya furthered that, IHH has been very supportive to Muslims in Sierra Leone, especially during the Eidul Ahda (Prayday) feast. He said during this period, IHH and WMA has been providing Muslims with animals for sacrifice so as to climax the holy month of fasting.
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| Guidians at the ceremony |
On behalf of the beneficiaries, the general membership of the WMA and guardians of the orphans expressed thanks and appreciation to IHH and the Government and people of Turkey for what they referred to as a wonderful gesture and called for continued support.
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| Cross section of the female orphans at the ceremony |
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| The high table |
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| A male beneficiary |
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| A female orphan displaying her package |
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| A male orphan displaying his package |
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| Cross section of the male orphans at the ceremony |
